Ma Petit- Part Deux
I was not joking in my last post about Ma Petit- I fully intend to exercise their menu to the extreme, and after eating breakfast there today, I was tempted back to try a pasta dish this evening. So I go there about 4:20pm (remember, I’m in bed by 8pm, at least to start the week). As I arrive the door is being locked by a lady inside- I kind of ask “what’s up?” and we have a little bit of cummunciation break-down; she’s asian with a heavy accent, and she is talking about “prep work” so I think maybe they are closing until 6pm to work in the kitchen. But no, it is apparent they are closed; some how, she senses that I really was looking forward to the food, and offers to fix me something- pasta perhaps, and after my many polite “no, I can’t come in when you’re closed”, I decide I really want to try the Pasta Bolognese w/ Meatballs, which she says “fine” and escorts me in to a table.
I am the only customer, and there are a few business-types there talking about the restaurant’s business- I’m honestly trying to ignore and put on my headphones while I wait. I decide to go to counter to pay (I haven’t figured it out for sure yet, but I think you order and pay at cash register, then get a “number” for your table where food is delivered). While the guy is trying to figure out how to charge me when register is closed-out, the lady comes over and tells him not to charge me- that it’s their (Ma Petit) fault that I came when they were closed, and she wanted to make it good for me. Again, I resisted as I pretty much never will take any handouts or free gifts, but she was persuasive.
After less than 10 minutes, she brings me the pasta, and I ask if she is the owner. She nods shyly, and I think her husband and young child were sitting right behind me and smiling proudly as she says “Yes”. Her name in Nary (not “Mary” but Nary…) and she gave her everything tonite to make me a happy customer. And yes, the pasta w/ meatballs (and garlic bread) was excellent, but I think they may have given me an extra ordinary serving, so I will have to order it again under “regular” circumstances.
Here’s Nary with my to-go order- as I said, Ma Petit has HUGE potential…
I love love love love LOVE this place already.
I’ve gone her EVERY DAY since they opened (shh, I went there twice on Friday.) They’re right across the street from the Ronald Reagan building, where I work, and down the street from where I live, and I just know they’re going to be a big success.
They’re price point is awesome (nothing over $10) compared to the surrounding places to eat. You can’t get a pastry under $3 at First Cuppe Caffe, and I got like 5 for $6 at Ma Petit!! Of course, one of those was a free one they gave me, woo woo! But still, most of their goodies are no more than $1.50.
Breakfast omelette was awesome, thier tri-tip sandwich w/ onion rings was delicious, pastries: yummo! Can’t wait to plow through the rest of their menu….
And you’re right, the management, owners and employees could not be any nicer.
Now, if they ever end up serving wine, I may just wind up bringing a sleeping bag and setting up camp in the atrium area.
November 17th, 2008 at 12:01 amI’m glad you’re gonna help suppot Ma Petit too, LA Lola. I was amazed at the prices too- they should do real well with all the government workers at Ronald Reagan bldg- I have heard them complain about prices at First Cuppe…
Mmm, Tri-Tip sandwich w/ Onion Rings… I hope that’s on the menu tonite (or at least that they stay open past 5pm or so). They are going to have to work very hard to NOT be successful… they have so much going for them…
November 17th, 2008 at 6:51 amThanks you two for the early reviews - it sounds like a place we need to check out later this week. I keep looking for good food at decent prices and the choices are few and far between here in downtown LA.
You are quite the early adopter eh Eric? You probably have a Beta machine and a MiniDisc player too
November 17th, 2008 at 12:14 pmB- I used to be the “early adopter”; I had the first CD player that anyone had SEEN in college- $1300 I think… what a waste. And for a very little while I wanted the latest and greatest cars, then realized that paying over-list was not the way to go (but still got wacked when I payed sticker for a USED Porsche that had a waiting list six months long, then they over-produced them and I lost about $50k in 2 years).
New restaurants, I’m still game for them IF I don’t have to wait in line… and hey, it kind of paid off yesterday with free Pasta and Meatballs! Woo Hoo!
November 17th, 2008 at 6:53 pmHaha I had an early portable CD player, the thing took 6 AA batteries and was HUGE.
November 19th, 2008 at 11:52 am